Catamarans

While most sailboats are single hull, sailboats with two and even three hulls
are becoming increasingly more popular. Called catamarans, boats with
two hulls are extremely stable due to the spread between the two hulls.
While catamarans don't have a ballasted keel, the twin hulls do the job of
ensuring that the boat remains upright.

Catamarans can come in any size, and in cruising boats, the twin hulls allow
for more spacious living space down below. Catamarans are also
appreciated by sailors in rough seas, as the hull configuration gives a
smoother ride in choppy waters.

Larger catamarans have auxiliary power, and are more fuel-efficient than
boats with one hull. For this reason, catamarans are often a popular
choice for boaters who are traveling long distances.

There is one other way in which catamarans and monohulls differ greatly.
While a monohull that is tipped upside down will right itself immediately,
the same can't be said of a catamaran. Because of its twin hull
configuration, catamarans are very difficult to right once they are upside
down.

While this may be considered a negative, consider that catamarans are much
more difficult to sink than monohull sailboats. If a hole is punched
in a monohull sailboat, it will fill with water and sink to the bottom.
If a catamaran finds itself with a similar hole it will also fill with
water. However, it will rarely sink. This is because catamarans
have no ballasts to pull them down, and are usually made up of a foam sandwich
construction that is very buoyant.

Sport catamarans are boats with twin hulls designed to go extremely fast
— as fast as some powerboats. Instead of a cockpit there is mesh
fabric between the two hulls for passengers, and the spread between the two
hulls allows for great stability. Because they are so stable, larger
sails can be used on these boats, which allows for increased speed as well.